First row (right side)Skip 1 st from hook, draw up a loop in each of the next 5 sts, yo and through all 6 loops, ch 1 (a star), * draw up a loop under ch 1 (eye of star) just made, draw up a loop in back thread of last loop of star, a loop in same st as last loop of same star, a loop in each of the next 2 sts, yo and through all 6 loops, ch 1 *; repeat between *’s 5 times (7 stars), 1 hdc in same st as last loop, for even edge.

2nd (inc.) rowCh 2, turn, 3 hdc in eye of first star, 2 hdc in eye of each star to within 1 star of end, 3 hdc in last eye, 1 sc in top of turning ch.

3rd (inc.) rowCh 3, turn, skip 1 st from hook, draw up a loop in each of next 2 sts, draw up a loop in sc, another in first hdc, yo and through 5 loops, ch 1 (1 star of 5 loops increased); repeat between *’s of first row across row having 5 loops in last star.

NoteAlways work 1 hdc in same st as last loop of last star, at end of star rows, to keep an even edge.

4th rowCh 2, turn, 2 hdc in eye of each star, 1 sc in turning ch.

5th rowCh 3, turn, skip 1 st from hook, draw up a loop in each of the next 2 sts, draw up a lop in sc and in each of the next 2 hdc, yo and through all 6 loops, ch 1; repeat between *’s of first row to end (9 stars). Repeat last 4 rows 4 times, having 2 stars more after each group of inc. rows (17 stars). Work even as for 4th and 5th row until 29 rows from beginning, end with a star row.

First dec. rowCh 2, turn, draw up a loop in eye of each of first 2 stars, yo and through 3 loops, 1 hdc in eye of same star last loop was worked in (2nd star), 2 hdc in eye of each star to within 1 star of end, draw up a loop in last eye and in turning ch, yo and through 3 loops.

31st rowCh 3, turn, work 15 stars across row. Repeat last 2 rows 3 times having 2 stars less after each dec. row (9 stars for front edge). Work 1 hdc and 1 star row even (39 rows from beginning). Do not break off.

Left Side PieceContinue on side of center strip. Work 1 sc in end st of last star row, * 1 sc in end st of hdc row, 2 sc in end st of next star row; repeat from * to end (58 sc).

First rowCh 2, turn, work 1 hdc in each of 57 sts, 2 hdc in last st.

2nd rowCh 3, turn, work 29 stars on next row. Begin decreases.

3rd rowCh 2, turn, 2 hdc in eye of each of 3 stars, * 1 hdc in eye of next star, 2 hdc in eye of each of next 2 stars *; repeat between *’s 7 times, 2 hdc in each of last 2 stars, 1 sc in turning ch (50 hdc and 1 sc). Work 25 stars on next row.

5th rowCh 2, turn, 2 hdc in eye of first star, repeat between *’s of 3rd row 8 times, 1 sc in turning ch. Work 21 stars on next row.

7th rowCh 2, turn, 2 hdc in eye of each of 2 stars; repeat between *’s of 3rd row 6 times, 2 hdc in last star, 1 sc in turning ch. Work 18 stars on next row.

9th rowCh 2, turn, repeat between *’s of 3rd row 6 times, 1 sc in turning ch. Work 15 stars on next row. Continue to dec. in this way, repeating between *’s of 3rd row 4 times in each of the next 3 hdc rows, working 2 stars less in subsequent star rows, having 9 stars in last star row.

17th rowCh 2, turn, draw up a loop in eye of each of 2 stars, yo and through 3 loops, 1 hdc in eye of each star, 1 sc in turning ch.

18th rowWork 4 stars.

19th rowCh 2, turn, 1 hdc in eye of each star, 1 sc in turning ch.

20th rowCh 3, turn, work 2 stars. Fasten off.

Right Side PieceBeginning at back edge of center strip and working from right side, work to correspond to left side piece, end with star row; do not break off.

EdgingFirst row (right side)Continue working on side of strap and around entire helmet as follows: 3 sc in every 2 rows on side edge of strap and on front edge of right side piece, 2 sc over each star (1 sc over star and 1 sc in eye) at center front, 3 sc every 2 rows on front edge of left side piece, 2 sc over each of 2 stars at corners, 1 sc in each row at back edge of left side piece, 1 sc in each star at center back, 1 sc in each row at back edge of right side piece, 3 sc in every 2 rows on other side of strap, slip st in first sc. Do not turn.